Childhood Obesity

One of the fastest growing epidemics in America is childhood obesity. Even though childhood obesity has been addressed by several extremely influential people, we’ve got a long way to go before this problem is under control.

The image above shows a young, overweight child sitting in the midst of several appetizing treats. He is a young boy, seven or eight years old, who seems to be in the middle of meditating. The food floating around him is personified with inviting smiles. There are large whiffs of tempting fragrance encompassing the boy during his meditation. Near every food item, bright star-like sparkles accompany the aroma, making for a near irresistible feast.

Everywhere we turn in the United States, there is an advertisement for food waiting to be seen. The food being displayed, though appealing, usually comes with negative side effects due to the fact that it’s not always the healthiest choice. Living in America, one becomes accustomed to being impatient. With popular establishments such as McDonald’s and Wendy’s, food can be easily mass-produced for a low price. When these businesses are equipped with kid-friendly commercials and merchandise, children are extremely easy targets. The youth of today are used to going through the drive-thru of their choice and super-sizing for just one dollar more. Even if children were to want a healthy alternative, unhealthy options are thrust in their path, causing them to settle and develop habits that are harmful to their wellbeing. Also, children today are getting less exercise than the generations prior to them because they are distracted with social media and electronic game consoles that allow them to sit indoors and stare at a screen. A poor diet paired with lack of exercise is nothing short of a recipe for disaster.